Dump-wagon.



W. A. UN'DBRHILL.

DUMP WAGON. y

l PPLIATION FILED MAY 16, 1908'. 948,358. 'Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

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WALTER A. UNDERHILL, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

DUMP-WAGON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Application filed May 16, 1908. Serial No. 433,317.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER A. UNDER- HILL, of Auburn, in the county of Cayuga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dump- `Wagons, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

`tion of said doors. `these doors" are preferably provided with is a full, clear, and exact description.

. y This invention relates to certain improvey usually located at the front end of the box `and connected to suitable cables running under the meeting edges of the bottom doors and suitably connected at the rear end of the box to control the opening and closing ac- The me-eting edges of overlappingplates. to cover any gap which may exist at the meeting edgesand thereby prevent leakage oi the material from the box. Under such conditions it is necessary to `close the door havin the overlapping plate first, or slightly in a Vance of its companion door and one of the main objects of my present invention is to provide means for eecting this result and at the saine time automatically take up the lag of the last closing door `by the continued rotation of the drum in closing the doors. -In other words, I have souvht to provide a simple and `practical equa izing device which will insure the positive closing of both doors by the `continued rotation of the drum even though the under running chains may vary slightly in length.

Another object is to make the equalizer a part of the connection between the doors andfdrum and tolocate such equalizer at the frontend of the box although in some instances the essential principle of the equalizer may be embodied in a frame or support i which is xed to the rear end of the box.

In the drawings-Figures 1 and 2 are front elevations of the dump box having a i erally swinging bottom doors showing the equalizer as located vat the front end of the box and forming `a part of the connection between the drum and doors, said doors-and operating parts being shown in their closed position in Fig. 1 and in their open position in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail elevation partly in section of one side of the equalizer shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the box seen in Fig. 2 showing the manner of attaching'the under running cables to the rear end of the box and to the equalizer roller. Fig. 6 is a front end view of a dump box having a single set of twoV laterally swinginfr bottom doors and slightly modified form o equalizer, forming a part of the connection between the drum and doors. Fig. 7 is a further modified form of door operating mechanism showing the front ends of the under running cables as connected directly to the drum and the rear ends of the `cables connected to a further modified form of equalizer which is mounted upon the rear end of the box.

In Figs. l and 2 I have shown a substantially rectangular dump box -A- as provided with` two sets of laterally swinging doors-16, -.l-, 2f and -2- all of which when closed lie in substantially the same horizontal plane, the outer doors -1- and -2 beinghnged at -3-- to the downwardly and outwardly while the interat their inner edges at -4- to suita le brackets -5- centrally on the front and rear ends `of the box.

A horizontal drum 7 is journaledat its ends in suitable bearings -8- on forward extensions -9- on the sides of the box and is provided near one endwith a ratchet wheel -10- adapted to be operated by the usual pawl and lever, not necessary to herein illustrate or describe, as any `means may be employed for rotating the drum. y

A single cable or chain -ll is connected at one endto the drum -7- and has its other end connected to astirrup 12- to which is centrally pivoted at 134- a rocking yoke --14-, said yoke being, therefore, pivoted uponthe depending free end of the cable -411- at the frontend ofthe box and is movable vertically with said cable during the operation of closing and opening the doors, the opposite ends of the yoke -14- extending laterally directly each set of doors and terminating in downllO wardly and inwardly inclined toothedracks -15-, the free ends of which are tied to the upper end of the yoke by suitable tie bars or braces -16- to reinforce the yoke at this point and to resist excessive strains to which the inner ends of the racks -15- are subjected.

With each of the racks '15- is associated a roller -17# having a toothed segment 18- which meshes with the teeth of the rack -l5- and is located between the adjacent tie pieces -16-, the latter serving to retain the drum -17- in operative relation with the rack -1,5- against lateral displacement. Each of these rollers -17- is provided with an eccentricslot -19- for receiving a. bolt 20- which is passed through' the tie pieces 16 and vslot -19- and forms a limiting stop for engaging the ends of the slot 1*9- and preventing rotary displacement of the roller from the rack -15-, said slots being of suficient length to permit the rollers to roll limited distances along their respective racks -15-. These rollers -17- are located directly over the front ends of the meeting edges of the doors with which they are connected by suitable chains -21- running under the meeting yedges of the doors and anchored at their rear ends to fixed anchorages 2Q- on the rear end of the box -A- as best seen in Fig. 5.

The rollers -17- constitute what may be termed rolling sheaves having recesses 24- in their peripheries opposite the toothed segments --18- for receiving the links of the intermediate portion of the Acorresponding chains -21- so as to avoid slipping of the chains upon the rollers there- Y by producing a positive drive in the manner of the sprocket and chain although the chain and roller may be adjusted relatively to each other by reinserting certain links in different recesses Q4- to take up any excessive slack in either side of the chain. It now appears that the yoke -14- issuspended entirely from one end of the cable 11- while the meeting edges of the doors are suspended entirely from the rollers -17- which in turn are supported wholly upon the inclined racks -15- and when the doors are released, these rollers gravitate downwardly toward each other along their respective racks until limited by the slot -19- and pins -20- which pass through said slots, the pins serving to retain the rollers against undue rolling movement upon their respective racks.

The yoke -llwith its inclined racks -15 and rollers 17- constitutes an equalizer adapted fortwo sets of doors.

It is evident from the'foregoing description taken in connection with Figs. l and 2 of the drawings that when thedrurn -7- is released, the gravity .ofthe doors Vaided by the load will open said doors thereby drawing the equalizer downwardly and unwinding the cable -11- from the drum during which operation the rollers -17- roll by rgravity down their respective inclined racks -l5- thereby lengthening the inner sides of the cable -21- and shortening `the outer sides of said cable which causes the inner doors -1- and -2- to open a greater distance than the outer doors.

In rewinding the drum to close the doors, the outer doors which are provided with overlapping plates -25- at their' meeting edges will be closed lirst, as the 'equalizer yoke V--ltand parts carried thereby are elevated and as soon as the outer doors 1 and 2* are closed in the manner just described, the adjacent sides of the chains are prevented from further movement and by the continued rotation of the drum -7-- and consequent elevation of the yoke 14- the rollers -l7- will be rolled up their respective inclined racks -15- thereby closing the inner doors -land -2- with their meeting edges against the under side of the overlapping plates n25-- as shown in Fig. 1.

The outer sides of the cables 21- render through suitable openings 2G- in the rack -15- as best seen in Fig. 3 while the inner sides of the cables travel past the in- -ner ends of the rack as the doors are opened and closed, both sides of the chains assuming a substantially vertical position when the doors are closed as seen in Fig. l there,- by exerting a direct upward lift or pull upon the meeting edges of said doors which may be tightened at any time by rotating the drum -7- to additionally wind the cable -11- thereon, the under running portion of the cable being guided in suitable loops -27- on the undersides of the doors as best seen in Fig. 5.

Should one set of doors close beiore the others, the equalizer yoke -14- is free to rock under the action of the cable -11- and continued rotation of the ydrum will close the other set of doors.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a dump box A- as provided with a single set of two laterally swinging bottom doors czand -cmeeting at substantially the longitudinal center of the box and operating in practically the same manneras either one of the sets of doors shown inFig. 2.

The equalizer shown in Fig. 6 is also similar to that shown in Figs. l and 2 except that a single rack -15- is 'employed in connect-ion with the toot-hed roller -17- which latter is the same as that previously described, the rack .-1'5- forming a part of a yoke MJ- which is substantially the same as one end of the yoke .14- shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said yoke -14"- being connected to the lower end 'of the rack l5- by ti'e bars I6-' This vyoke `55 therefor comprising an inclined rack, a roller Yceases.

. unwinding the cable -11- from the drum i -7- and allowing the roller -17- to gravitate down the rack -15- until limited by the pin engaging the upper end of the slot 1Q- This latter operation causes the lengthening of the chain connected to the door aand shortens the sideconnected to the door -awhich causes the door er/ to open a greater distance than the door caso that in i underneath the meetin closing the doors by rewinding the cable upon the drum, the roller -17 remains in its down positioncausing the door ato close iirst or in advance of the door The continued winding of the cable -llupon the drum after the door fzis closed causes the roller -17- to ride up the rack -15- thereby drawing 'the door -a to its closed position.

`In Fig. 7, I have shown a still further modiiied manner of applying my improved equalizer in which a yoke 145- similar to thatshown in Fig. 6 is secured to the rear end of the box and supports an inclined `rack l5- and roller -l7-, the latter being of the same construction and mounted inthe same manner as shown in Fig. 6 except that the yoke -14- is rigidly secured to the rear end of the box instead of being suspended upon the end of a cable. In this instance 'the intermediate portion of a cable as -`-30- is passed around and engaged with the top or upper portion of the equalizer -l7`- and its opposite ends are passed edges of the doors forwardly and upward y around the drum `--7`- but the action of the equalizer -17- upon its4 rack -15- is substantially the same as that construction in Figs. l, 2, 5 and 6.

What I claim is:

l. In combination with the swinging doors of a dump wagon and operating means riding ,on the rack and cables engaged with the roller and operatively connected to the doors.

2. In combination with laterally swinging bottom doors of a dump wagon, a drum and connections between the drum and doors including a toothed rack and a toothed roller meshing with and movable along the rack for taking up the lag of one door` after the other door is closed by the continued operation of the drum. 3. In combination with the laterally swinging bottom doors of a dump wagon box, cables passing under the meeting edges of the doors and anchored to the rear end of the dump box, a toothed roller connected to the cables at the front end of the box, a yoke having a toothed rack meshing with and supporting the toothed roller, an additional cable connected to and supporting the yoke, and means for winding and unwinding said additional cable.

4:. In combination with the laterally swinging bottom doors of a dump wagon box, cables running under the meeting edges of the doors and anchored to the rear end of the box, a toothed roller supporting the front end of the cables, an inclined toothed rack meshing with and supporting the roller and upon which said roller is adapted to roll, an additional cable connected to and supporting the rack, and means for winding and unwinding said additional cable.

5. In combination with the laterally swinging bottom doors of a dump wagon, a rotary drum, acable having one end attached to the drum and adapted to be wound and unwound thereon and therefrom, an inclined toothed rack attached to and supportedwholly by the opposite end of the cable, a toothed roller rolling upon said rack, and cables attached to said roller and operatively connected to the doors.

6. In combination with laterally swinging bottom doors of a dump wagon, means for controlling the operation of said doors comprising an inclined toothed rack, a toothed roller meshing with and riding upon said toothed rack, a cable passed around the roller and connected to the doors, and means for raising and lowering the rack.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of April 1908.

WALTER A. UNDERHILL..

Witnesses:

MARION A. ALDRICH, E. B. CLAUDIUS. 

